No Place Like Home: Andorra FC Finding Their Feet Again
After 11 winless league matches, Andorra FC finally taste victory under interim coaching trio, while Turkish midfielder Akman makes promising full debut.
Andorra Finding Stability Under Homegrown Management
Three weeks after Ibai Gómez’s departure, Andorra FC appear to have found their footing with a trio of coaches steering the ship—and they might be staying put for the season.
The triumvirate of Aitor Yeto, Daniel Ortiz and frontman Carles Manso has overseen a modest but promising turnaround. While the club’s brass initially seemed keen on an external appointment, they’re now leaning toward keeping faith with the current setup, following the blueprint that worked with Beto Company previously.
The interim stint has produced mixed results:
- A creditable draw at El Molinón
- Cup exit against Cultural
- Defeat to Almería
- A crucial league victory last weekend—their first in 11 matches—lifting them out of the relegation zone
This management-by-committee approach has the full backing of majority shareholder Gerard Piqué and his right-hand man, Jaume Nogués, who serves as both general and sporting director.
Akman Making His Mark
One bright spot from last weekend’s victory was the full debut of Turkish midfielder Efe Akman. The Galatasaray import looked right at home in the starting XI at José Zorrilla.
“If I play more, you’ll see more of my abilities,” promised the confident midfielder, who feels comfortable operating as either a number 6 or 8.
Akman also echoed what many Andorra supporters have felt during their barren run: “We deserved more points than we got.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash with Deportivo, the Turk acknowledged the challenge but maintained: “We’re capable of beating them because we’re also a good team.”
Owono Makes History
In other news, goalkeeper Jesús Owono has received a call-up to represent Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations. This milestone makes him the first Andorra FC player ever selected for the prestigious continental tournament.
The call-up is a proper Bobby Dazzler for the club’s growing international reputation, though they’ll need to sort out cover between the sticks during his absence.
With their first league win in nearly three months under their belts and growing stability in the dugout, Andorra will be hoping their home comforts translate to points on the road as they look to climb further away from danger in the Segunda División.